The recent decision of the Justice Department, imposing all immigrants to either notify the INS of any change of address within ten days of the move or be subject to deportation sanctions, is another example of how the liberties and citizens rights are being altered in the country under the excuse of the war on terror.

This measure adds up to the intelligence mechanisms and exceptional prerogatives recently implemented by White House, which include, among other things, the secret detention of hundreds of people and the deportation of many others.

In Massachusetts, we have an example of what’s happening in Boston and the rest of the country. The destiny of the 19 undocumented detained in Logan Airport more than 6 months ago is clear evidence of how the immigrants can be victims of the collective hysteria that shakes the U.S. since September 11th.

Despite the fact that judicial authorities have established that none of these immigrants—most of them cleaning workers— is under suspicion of terrorist association or any serious crime, they all face felony charges and could suffer 10 years of incarceration plus subsequent deportation process.

After keeping them in prison for several days, they were released, pending trial. While waiting for this process, the 19 immigrants in question live under such restrictive conditions that it has been impossible for them to keep their jobs. This situation, imposed by the Justice Department, include bracelet devices to be electronically traced, permanent custody situation, and the obligation to report themselves to court three times a week during working hours. Like them, there are millions of immigrants detained under the same circumstances nationwide.

These recently imposed measures, added to other projects still under discussion, have provoked the reaction of numerous civil rights organizations that warn of the dangerous turn the country is taken due to the war against terrorism.

Like these, other civil liberties are being diminished while the number of immigrants under suspicion grows. Today, the immigrants are the ones under the authorities magnifying glass, tomorrow all citizens could be mandated to report their moves.

Since its origin as a nation, the U.S. opened its doors to the immigrants. They integrated themselves to the country’s political, cultural and economic life, giving their culture, religion, and traditions in exchange.

Through the black eras of McCarthyism, the Cold War and the racism against black minorities, the U.S. has maintained through its history a fruitful tradition in the struggle for equality regarding rights, tolerance, and pluralism.

For this reason, its is important that the actions of the current government, while defending the country against terrorism, neither damage such democratic principles that have been the beacon for the world, nor lead the country to the confiscation of civil liberties under the pretense of maintaining a dubious internal security.